Rich Massabny
Producer/Interviewer/Reviewer
"Arlington Weekly News TV"
CHANNEL 69

Thursday, July 14, 2005 - 6:00 PM
Saturday, July 16, 2005 - 10:30 AM
Monday, July 18, 2005 - 8:30 PM

 

Our own local Irish play presenters, The Keegan Theatre, has another one that must not be missed. The Beauty Queen of Leenane by Martin McDonagh, is heavy stuff about a 40 year old unmarried, emoitionally scarred daughter in a dysfunctional relationship with her selfish, mean-spirited mother who does what she can to keep her daughter from meeting men in their lonely rural home in County Galway. Artistic director Mark Rhea, with his deft hand, manages to find humor--or at least lightness--in this gripping story. Enough cannot be said about the outstanding performances by Nanna Ingvarsson as daughter Maureen and Linda High as mother Mag. The attractive, but depressed daughter, who had a nervous breakdown many years ago, often resorts to severe means to manage her rotten mother. In a moving sexual scene--while mom's asleep inside--Maureen has an emoitional release with a nice local guy, Pato Dooley, played by Scott Graham. The next morning she prances around in her underwear just to show her ability to act as a desirable woman and to taunt her mother. Later she becomes physically free of her mother, if not emoitionally. Young high school graduate, with a list of great acting credits, Joe Baker, as Pato's younger brother, does his usual fine job. Mark Rhea's wife, Susan Marie Rhea, as assistant director (and a fine actress in her own right), adds her touch to this production. The Keegan Theatre's nanThe Beauty Queen of Leenane plays through July 23 at the Church Street Theatre, 1742 Church Street, NW in the District. Call 703-527-6000 for tickets.